Apple and Google To Alert Users When They’ve Been Near Someone With COVID-19

Apple and Google are planning on installing new technology to alert users when they have come in contact with someone who has COVID-19, according to WIVB.

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The technology is known as "contact-tracing" and would be installed into the iOS and Android operating systems by mid-May.

It would send anonymous data to public health authorities, however, users must opt-in to the program.

Basically, if a user tests positive for coronavirus, it will add the data to the public health app and alert other users when they come in close proximity of that person.

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If you're concerned about privacy, Apple and Google say that the system preserves the user's privacy -- content for the program is required.

“Two people meet to chat for a few minutes, and in the background via Bluetooth their smartphones exchange anonymous identifiers to register that they have been in contact. These digital keys change every 15 minutes or so and remain on these people’s devices to preserve privacy.”

“All of us at Apple and Google believe there has never been a more important moment to work together to solve one of the world’s most pressing problems,” the companies said in a joint statement.